If you’re struggling to get a gig at a local venue then chances are you first need to build some sort of relationship with the venue or the promoter who puts on shows there.  How exactly do you go about doing that?

Well, let’s refer back to Dale Carengie and my favourite quote from his book How To Win Friends & Influence People:

“You make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” 

Maybe to establish a relationship and get a booking with a venue the best thing to would be to do something for THEM first.  So, how about retweeting or sharing one of the venue’s upcoming events on your socials so all parties can see you are helping the event get a bigger audience.

You could even go to one of the events run by the venue or promoter.  Ask around and you might be able to meet the organisers in person.  Don’t come across too pushy, just introduce yourself and say hello and become a ‘known’ entity.  After the show use your socials to say what a great time you had, posting photos and videos tagging in the appropriate parties giving them post show coverage.

If people can see that you are doing something for them first, when YOU come to ask for something you’re more likely to get a favourable response.

Got any questions about this post or how you can better market yourself?

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